‘My dear Staps, you are no common man. What you did took great courage. I recognise that. Surely such dedication to your cause must be most uncommon amongst your kind.’

Staps narrowed his eyes momentarily. ‘My kind?’

‘Those who believe as you do. The comrades who share your beliefs and work with you to oppose me.’

Staps shook his head wearily. ‘I told your interrogators, there is no one else. What I did, I did alone.’

‘But you say you did it for all Germans?’

‘One man may act for the benefit of all.’

‘But surely it is arrogant for you to assume you know what is of benefit to all? That is if you are speaking the truth about acting alone.’

‘It is no more arrogant for me to assume that than for you to assume that you rule for the benefit of your subjects, and all those who live under the sway of France. Who is to say that one man knows better than another, be he an emperor or a humble clerk?’

Rapp stirred at the last remark and bunched his fists as he took a step towards the prisoner. Napoleon glanced at him and waved him away, then leaned back and thought for a moment.

‘If I accept that you did act alone, now that you have been apprehended the threat to me has ended. Provided that I do not make a martyr of you.’

Staps looked at Napoleon curiously. ‘You would let me live?’

‘I could,’ Napoleon replied. ‘Provided that you made a public apology for your act.’

‘An apology?’

‘You would have to admit that what you did was wrong. An act of temporary madness perhaps. And now you have seen things more clearly you realise that your action was foolhardy and without just cause. If you would say that in public then I would spare your life and have you returned to your home to live out your life in peace.’

Staps laughed, then winced and coughed, spraying flecks of blood across Napoleon’s breeches. A minute passed before the pain subsided enough for him to speak again. ‘And you would make an example of me. Living proof of your magnanimity.’

‘Why not? That’s what it is,’ Napoleon replied tersely. ‘I offer you life.’

‘You offer me shame, sire. You offer me the coward’s way out. I would rather die.’

‘Then you are a fool indeed. Where is the logic in choosing death over life?’

‘I did not act from logic, sire, but principle. Where is the value of principle if a man refuses to place his faith in it, come what may?’

Napoleon raised his hands. ‘Enough!’ He paused and took a deep breath before he continued in as calm a tone as he could manage.‘Staps, I must tell you that you have impressed me. You have as much courage as the bravest of my soldiers. I do not want to put an end to a life with as much promise as yours. It would be a waste. All I require is an apology. Here and now. I will not even ask for you to make it in public. Then you can return to your home.’